districtnewsYOUR LOOK AT LEWES DISTRICT COUNCIL SERVICES AUTUMN EDITION 2012

in this issue:

SAVE MONEY call us now

DIEPPE RAIDremembered 5

COUNCIL TAX benefitnews of changes 16

plus

WELFARE reformwhat it means 12

HOUSING NEWSacross the District 10

save money by taking upour FREE insulation

offer. Just 80 days left to havecavity wall and/or loftinsulation in your home intime for Christmas.”“

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Days remaining on this offer

HOME INSULATION

don’t miss out

EDITOR Liz LaconTEL 01273 484141EMAIL liz.lacon@lewes.gov.ukDESIGN Lewes District Council

District News is available in

large print, audio tape, disc or

in another language upon

request. Please contact the

communications team on

01273 484141 or email

press@lewes.gov.uk

contents:

EDITORIAL 2

FEATURES:home insulation 3equalities policy 4white ribbon

campaign 4green flag award 5register to vote 7lewes den 8lewes skate park 8newhaven community

engagement plans 9council tax benefit 16

REGULARS:council meetings 7housing advice 7housing news 10-13wave leisure 15

DIARY DATE:newhaven fort 6

”

As part of our “One District One Council” approach we

promised to improve customer service, work smarter

and save money for residents and businesses.

I urge you to save money by taking up our

offer. If 1,000 residents have their home

insulated before Christmas then over £110,000 will

be saved in energy bills in just one year. This is a

great offer – there is no catch. We want to help as

many people as possible to have their homes

insulated. It’s so easy, just call our hotline number01273 484330.

Please don’t delay, it is a time limited offer and well

worth that one phone call – it’s really easy.

Leader Cllr James Page

“

R Over 300 residents are

already saving money and

feeling the benefit of a warmer

home and cheaper bills.

Target: 1,000 homes

insulated by December

Make that call!

3

SAVE

MONEY

CALL

US

I’m looking forward to my

warmer home and saving

money. I’m certainly recommending

the loft and cavity insulation service

to all my friends and relatives. The

surveyor and installers explained

everything in a very straightforward

way. I just called the hotline

number – it’s that easy!

Newhaven resident

“SAVE

MONEY

CALL

US

S Leader Cllr James Page at the launch

of our home insulation campaign

With Autumn here and the prospect of

chilly nights it’s not too late to save

money by taking up this fantastic home

insulation offer. With just 80 days until the

deadline make the call to our hotline NOW!

Insulating your home is the best way to

reduce your energy bills, make your home

feel warmer and save money. Residents who

have had cavity wall insulation installed are

already saving £110 on their annual bill. If

you have loft insulation installed as well the

savings can be an additional £175 a year.

This offer is open to every resident with a

cavity wall and/or a loft. Please remember

the offer ends on 20 December so call us now

01273 484330.

”

We believe that everyone who lives or

works in Lewes District, or who visits

it, should feel welcome, safe, valued,

included and respected. Diversity is valuable

because people with different backgrounds,

skills, attitudes and experiences bring fresh

ideas and enrich our local community.

Our Equality PolicyPutting these beliefs into practice, we have

adopted a new equality policy which applies

to councillors, staff and service users. It will

help us to meet our legal obligations to

eliminate unfair discrimination, advance

equality of opportunity and foster good

relations between different groups. We have

also adopted three equality objectives for the

period 2012-16. We will:

• Train staff and councillors in equality

issues to help them give excellent service

• Make services more responsive to the

diverse needs of our community

• Ensure offices, jobs and services are

accessible to people with disabilities.

Domestic abuse is an issue that affects

every community and is a priority for us

and the Lewes District Community

Safety Partnership.

DOMESTIC abuseTo raise awareness of domestic abuse

throughout the community and to

promote the variety of services and

support available for all victims of

domestic abuse we intend to hold

a range of events in every parish

and town across the Lewes District.

These events will take place during the week

of 19 to 25 November linked to White Ribbon

Day, which is on Sunday 25 November.

We are putting together

a programme of events

at the moment and if

you would like to get

involved or find out

more please contact

Sarah Findlay at Lewes District Council

sarah.findlay@lewes.gov.uk

equal rights, equal responsibilities

Our Equality Policy

One District One Council

A safe and welcoming environment

To find out more call 01273 471600or visit www.lewes.gov.uk/equalities

white ribbon campaign

5

Castle Hill Newhaven Local

Nature Reserve and Lewes

Railway Land Local Nature

Reserve, which are owned and

managed by Lewes District

Council have received the

Green Flag Award for the

third and fourth year running.

The award recognises well-

managed high-quality green

spaces.

IMPORTANTCOMMUNITY assetsDan Ross, Lewes District

Council Ranger, paid tribute to

the volunteers: “These nature

reserves are important

community assets, which are

easily accessible places for

people to see wildlife on their

doorstep. It takes a lot of effort

to maintain and I would like to

thank the huge number of

volunteers who help us to

manage them.”

If you would like to volunteer

please contact us on 01273

484408 or email

dan.ross@lewes.gov.uk

dieppe raid remembered

Royal British Legion members from Sussex with

veterans from Brighton, Crawley, Eastbourne,

Newhaven and Ringmer travelled to France to remember

the Dieppe Raid that took place 70 years ago. The Chair of

Lewes District Council Councillor Tony Nicholson together

with local dignitaries also made the journey to attend the

event. Ceremonies were held in the towns and villages in

France affected by the Raid.

The Sussex delegation was invited to attend the three day

commemorations by the Mayor of Dieppe, Sébastien Jumel.

The Chair of Lewes District Council

Cllr Tony Nicholson said

It was an honour to represent Lewes

District Council at the 70th anniversary of

the Dieppe Raid. The courage of those that

took part in the Raid was commemorated

and Dieppe put on a programme of events

for which its Mayor should be proud.

nature reserves

R HRH Prince Michael of Kent

with dignitaries in Dieppe

“”

Look out for notification in

the next edition of District

News of dates for the final

consultation period on the Core

Strategy, before it is submitted

to the Secretary of State for

Independent Examination.

This document will identify

locations for development and

will identify how many new

houses and how much

employment related

development the District must plan for. The

document has been further developed since

previously consulted upon, responding to

earlier representations made from

stakeholders

including Lewes

District residents and

businesses.

If you would like to

be notified of the

release of the

proposed submission

Core Strategy, or have

any general queries

about the work of the

planning policy team,

please email ldf@lewes.gov.uk or telephone

01273 484417. Anyone who has previously

made comments on the Core Strategy will

automatically be notified of this consultation.

The Port, the Beast & the Traveller 22 September The Fort will be taken over by local

artists, dancers, actors and musicians, to recreate a

wartime fair and dancehall – there will be stalls and

sideshows showcasing the work of local people and a

live theatre performance. 7.30pm-10pm, doors open

6.45 pm. Tickets are free but are limited.

Half Term Halloween Fun27 October-4 November Spooky quiz trails running

all week. Face painting on 28 October, craft workshops

on 31 October and animal handling workshops on

2 November. Spaces in workshops must be booked in

advance. Please call Newhaven Fort for details.

www.newhavenfort.org Tel 01273 517622

Fort Road, Newhaven BN9 9DS

E.T. The Extra Terrestrial 3 November Matinee screening of Spielberg’s classic

children’s film at 3pm.

newhaven fort

latest planning news

If you are having difficulties

paying your rent/mortgage,

need advice on your rights as

a tenant or owner, need to find

somewhere to live, or are

having problems maintaining

your home then come and see

us. We are running “Housing

Advice” drop in surgeries:

Peacehaven Community House,

Meridian Centre, Meridian Way

Monday 9am-12.30pm

Lewes Council Offices,

4 Fisher Street

Tuesday 9am-12.30pm

Newhaven Council Offices,

20 Fort Road

Wednesday 9am-12.30pm

Seaford 37 Church Street

Thursday 9.15am-12.30pm

In the afternoons Monday,

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday

2.30-4.30pm, Friday 2.30-4.00pm

there is a telephone advice line

01273 484001.

For people living in villages

with no means of transport,

or people with disabilities our

advice officers would

be happy to arrange

a home visit.

housing advicesurgeries

7

These scheduled Lewes District Council meetings for 2012

are open to the public:

Cabinet1 1 October 2:30pm

Employment Committee1 8 October 10.00am

Planning Applications Committee2 10 October 5:00pm

Council 3 17 October 2:30pm

Planning Applications Committee2 31 October 5:00pm

Cabinet1 20 November 2.30pm

Planning Applications Committee2 21 November 5:00pm

Scrutiny Committee1 22 November 10:00am

Audit & Standards Committee4 3 December 3.30pm

Council 3 5 December 2.30pm

Planning Applications Committee2 12 December 5.00pm

Venues: 1 Warren Room, Lewes House, 32 High Street, Lewes

2 Council Chamber, County Hall, St Annes Crescent, Lewes

3 The Chamber, Pelham House, St Andrews Lane, Lewes

4 Room 7, Southover House, Southover Road, Lewes

For further information and to confirm meeting times, dates and locations,

please contact the Committee Section at committees@lewes.gov.uk or call

01273 484201. Information is correct at time of going to press.

register to vote!R

esidents in the Lewes District have been urged to make

sure they don’t lose the chance to have their say in the

Police and Crime Commissioner elections, taking place on

Thursday 15 November. The polling stations are open from

7am-10pm.

voter registration formOver the last two months, households in the Lewes District

will have received an annual canvass voter registration form

which must be returned to Lewes District Council by

Monday 8 October.

Those who have not received, or have lost, the form can call

01273 484116 or 484117.

You have to be on the electoral register if you want to have

your say in the first Police and Crime Commissioner

elections. For more information go to www.sussexpa.gov.uk

We have agreed a District-wide

Apprenticeship and Enterprise

Programme to help local people back into

work and encourage entrepreneurship and

enterprise. The project, due to start in 2013,

will involve bringing together employers,

training providers and unemployed young

people to connect them to current and

emerging opportunities for training, work

and enterprise.

Our role will be to lead and champion the

initiative by running two promotional events,

“The Lewes Apprentice” and “Lewes Den”

based on the popular BBC programmes. All

participants will be given a tailored support

package to help them into work or to start

their own business. This will include

specialist advice, travel expenses and a

buddy scheme to provide one to one support

during the first few months. In addition, the

winner of the Lewes Apprentice will be

given a unique apprenticeship opportunity.

Leader Cllr James Page said

We are living in difficult

economic times and I believe

unlocking the potential of young

people is the fundamental building

block for economic recovery. The

Lewes District Apprenticeship and

Enterprise projects reflect our

commitment to supporting productive

and independent living.

lewes skate park

The construction of Lewes Skate Park is underway.

If you want to keep track on progress or get

involved then join the facebook group at

http://www.facebook.com/groups/417015898319748/

become the lewes apprenticeor face the lewes den

To become the Lewes Apprentice or face the Lewes Den call 01273 484471

or email greg.macdonald@lewes.gov.uk

“”

a banner is not

just for 2012...

The success of the Lewes

District 2012 Banner

Campaign may be extended as

a longer term project to improve

the image of the District.

This will not only be self-

financing but would also seek to

secure income to support a

range of community projects.

If you are interested in being a

sponsor for this longer term

Banner Project contact Greg

Macdonald on 01273 484471

greg.macdonald@lewes.gov.uk

9

communityengagement plans for newhaven

The regeneration of Newhaven is a key priority for us.

We are committed to the development of the town by

using our assets to attract private sector investment.

We want to create a broad public debate in Newhaven, going

beyond any specific proposal, but looking at the future of the

town and its infrastructure.

Every person or organisation in Newhaven will have the

opportunity to take part in the community engagement and

our timetable is as follows:

September 2012 Structure for conversations and cross-

party working group in place

October 2012 Start of town engagement work

January 2013 Publication of early findings

The cross-party working group will comprise members of

all parties represented on the District Council. We urge the

residents of Newhaven to share their opinions and ideas

with ourselves and the project developers.

For further information visit our website www.lewes.gov.uk

or email ldcregeneration@lewes.gov.uk 01273 484403.

welcome to housing news

Parents and their children living in

Balcombe Road, Peacehaven and

Hillcrest Court, Newhaven have been getting

their hands dirty, planting flowers and

vegetables in growing areas prepared by our

Community Services team.

The growing areas, soil, tools and seeds were

paid for with a grant from the Environmental

Budget, which is a budget approved by the

Housing Consultative Panel, of staff, tenants

and Councillors.

Kat Stagg-Ward from Balcombe Road asked

her local residents association about allowing

youngsters to use part of the communal

grounds to grow their own produce. Most of

the children in the area live in flats and don’t

have a garden. Other parents at Hillcrest

Court and Hanson Road, Newhaven were

also discussing similar ideas, and our Tenant

Participation team submitted a joint bid for

funding on their behalf.

Hanson Road Residents Association are still

trying to locate the best place for their

planting area and also need to have more

support from parents in order to start their

project next year.

For more information contact Ruth or Sue at

tenant.participation@lewes.gov.uk

or call 01273 487249.

blooming kids

The Walwers Lane development in Lewes

has received the regional award in the

category of social housing by the national

organisation, LABC (Local Authority

Building Control).

Our local team of Building Control Officers

offer a friendly service and are happy to

discuss any potential projects with

developers before submission of a formal

planning application. Contact 01273 484442.

housing award

11

housing investment

We have invested more than a million pounds to

purchase a housing development in Newhaven. This

is part of our ongoing promise to provide excellent value for

money and keep families out of expensive bed & breakfast

accommodation.

THE CRESTThe development, known as The Crest, comprising 12

residential units, 11 two bedroom properties and 1 one

bedroom property will provide ideal accommodation for

homeless residents of the District in the future.

Leader, Cllr James Page said: “We purchased the develop-

ment for £1.15m from the bank after the developer went into

liquidation. We negotiated a significant reduction on the

price we paid that will easily cover the work required to

completely finish the development. We were able to do this

by acting quickly and using the buying power we have as a

local authority. This is excellent value for taxpayers as we

were able to take full advantage of the new council housing

finance reforms that came into effect in April this year.

It means we can use 100% of capital receipts from the right

to buy scheme to invest in new affordable housing schemes

such as this, where previously we would have had to give

75% back to Central Government.”

Cabinet Councillors agreed

to provide good quality

accommodation within the

District for our residents who

become homeless.

Cllr Ron Maskell said

This will end many

years of placing

residents who are coping

with the trauma of being

homeless in bed &

breakfast outside the

District. This is an

absolute priority as the

thought of families being

placed in temporary

accommodation outside

the District is totally

unacceptable.

We are making this promise

because we have been working

in close partnership with our

housing colleagues at Brighton

& Hove City Council to bring

available properties forward for

rent to homeless families.

We will have first call on

available properties

and negotiations

are continuing

between the two

councils to agree

details of the

scheme.

R The Crest apartments in Newhaven

b&b news

”

“

Tenants include Lewes District Council

tenants and tenants of Housing

Associations in our area. Under Welfare

Reform, if you receive any means tested

benefits they will be replaced by one benefit –

Universal Credit. This will also include any

Housing Benefit that you are entitled to, along

with Child Benefit. You will need to use this

money to pay your rent. Your landlord will

have to charge you full rent.

Universal Credit will be capped at £500 a

week for families, and £350 per week for

single people. This amount will have to cover

your living expenses, Council tax and rent. If

you are affected you will be contacted by the

Department of Work and Pensions.

More information:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAnd

Benefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/

BeginnersGuideToBenefits/DG_201734

If you are below pension age and live in a

property where you have a spare bedroom,

you will only receive Housing Benefit to

cover the rent of a property the size of your

needs. These rules are less generous than the

current housing allocation scheme. These

changes take effect from April 2013 and

follow other changes to benefits which took

place from April this year. You may want to

think about opening a bank account so you

can budget.

This year’s tenants’ conference will be

held on Saturday 27 October at Lewes

Priory School, Mountfield Road. All Council

tenants and leaseholders are welcome to

attend. Lunch and refreshments are free and

transport can be provided.

The CONFERENCE will helptenants:

• Find out how changes to the benefits

system will affect anyone claiming housing

benefit. One major change is that tenants

under pensionable age, who live in a home

that is too big for their needs, will receive

less benefit.

• See plans to enable us to build new homes.

• Have a say in possible changes to the way

we allocate our homes.

• Find out about our plans to improve homes,

based on tenants’ priorities.

There will also be an opportunity for tenants

to come to a drop-in session from 9.30am

until 10.30am. We will have a range of

Council staff and other community advisers

available for you to talk to. The conference

starts at 10.30. Tenants who are unable to

attend for the day are welcome to come to the

drop-in session. For more information, or to

book a place, call 01273 487249 or email

tenant.participation@lewes.gov.uk

preparing for change

welfare reform for tenants

13

Residents are able to access finance to help with home

repairs and to bring empty properties back in to use.

The Home Trust Loan scheme, which is being provided by

us and community finance company Parity Trust is helping

people across the area to carry out essential repairs to their

properties. Loans can be used for a variety of reasons from

bringing an empty property back in to use, to paying for

improvements such as repairing a roof, installing double

glazing or central heating.

A resident living in a terraced property in Newhaven

received a loan of approx £4,200 so that repairs could be

carried out to their roof and guttering.

The scheme has come at a time when

many people are struggling to access

funds for repairs and improvements to

ensure their homes are safe, secure and

warm. This loan scheme means that

homeowners are able to afford repairs and

bring empty properties back in to use.

If you would like to know more about the loans available,

contact Rebecca Wynn at Lewes District Council by calling

01273 484363 or email Rebecca.wynn@lewes.gov.uk ”“ C

oldstream House held a

Summer Fair, in Seaford

House garden, on 21 July.

They managed to raise over

£300 which will go towards

their Christmas events.

The weather stayed dry and

was occasionally cloudy and

chilly but this did not dampen

the spirits of those on the day.

We were pleased that around

100 residents and guests

attended. Andy Chequers,

Corporate Head – Housing

(photographed above) joined in

the festivities.

Representatives from all three

Seaford Sheltered Housing

Schemes were present. There

were various stalls selling bric-

a-brac, craftwork, second-hand

clothes and a tombola.

home improvement loans

summer fair

in Peacehaven, Newhaven, Seaford, Lewes and surrounding villages

Weddings &

Ceremonies

at LewesHouseFor further details and prices

please contact the Civic Office:

01273 484112

email minna.robertson@lewes.gov.uk

15

Inspired by the Olympic & Paralympic Games?Everyone of those Olympians and Paralympians started

their path to success with a local club or leisure centre.

Learning to swim is not only a great way to get fit and

healthy. It is a skill for life and also a great sport that can lead

to successes like those recently seen at the games. Acquiring

confidence in this essential skill could not only save your life

one day, but quite possibly the lives of others around you.

Learning to swim with Wave Swim School offers easy

monthly payments, 5 lessons free* and half price swimming

all year round**, for more information visit

www.waveleisure.co.uk * Free swimming and 5 free lessons only available

when paying by direct debit ** Terms and conditions apply

Seahaven PARA GAMES

Just 10 days before the Paralympic Games began inLondon, the Downs Leisure Centre in Seaford played

host to the second annual Seahaven Para Games.

The event was opened in spectacular style by Peacehaven

resident Eddie Kidd as he waved the games open with his

Olympic Torch. Eddie then spent the morning supporting

participants. 26 participants pitted themselves

against each other and took on the discipline

of four events over the day.

The morning saw attendees take on a session

of New Age Kurling, facilitated by Seaford

Kurlers, followed by a wheel chair

basketball session that was introduced

by Jan Haydock.

After a buffet lunch the participants

returned to complete a two further

sports, Boccia that was facilitated by

Lewes Boccia Club, followed by a

rather exciting wheelchair

slalom.

What’s New atWave Leisure

Wave Boot Campat Downs Leisure Centre,

Seaford

Take your fitness outdoors

with a variety of

disciplines to ensure a

challenging workout.

Mondays 8-9pm

Wednesday 7.15-8.15am

Access to Badmintonat Lewes Leisure Centre

For 8-14years

6 week course Tuesday

evenings

Only £13.80 for the course

Table Tennis Clubat Seaford Head

Community College

Thursdays 7-9pm

Free Coaching

Only £2/session

Cheap gym sessionsfor 14-25 years

Wave Leisure is offering

8 sessions for only £12.00

(includes induction)

For more information visitwww.waveleisure.co.uk

Autumn District News 2012:Layout 1 5/9/12 12:37 Page 15

changes to council tax benefitT

he Council Tax Benefit scheme is

changing from April 2013. We’d like

your views on our draft Council Tax

Support scheme covering how we support

residents in the future – even if you don’t

currently receive benefits.

As part of the nation’s deficit reduction

programme, responsibility for funding the

replacement scheme for Council Tax Benefit

will transfer to Local Councils from next

April. Central Government currently

reimburses councils for the cost of Council

Tax Benefit paid out and from next April it

will pass 90% of these funds to the Council.

This will leave us 10% short, just under £1m,

which will have to be found by Lewes

District taxpayers.

We need to make important decisions about

who will get financial support towards their

council tax and how much they will receive.

Currently one in five households in the

District receive Council Tax Benefit and

unless these people are pensioners, who are

a protected group, these households are

likely to be directly affected by any changes

made to the level of support provided.

LEWES DISTRICT COUNCIL

has the following choices:

We want your views on how we should

provide council tax support and what you

think about schemes 1 and 2 above.

We want to hear from you, regardless of

whether you are claiming Council Tax

Benefit or not, as the changes could affect

the amount of Council Tax you pay.

Businesses, voluntary sector groups and

advice agencies are welcome to respond.

This consultation will run until 29 October

and can be completed on-line at

www.lewes.gov.uk Computers are available at

local libraries and hard copy details will be

distributed to local Town Council offices. If

you would like a paper copy please telephone

01273 484052.

Scheme 1: The intention is to meet the majority of the

10% shortfall by using flexibilities on council

tax discounts and exemptions. Reductions

in the amount received by those currently

on benefit would need to be made to finance

the remaining amount of approx £460,000.

Scheme 2: To introduce a scheme which proposes no

changes to the current levels of council tax

support. This would make use of the

flexibilities on council tax discounts and

exemptions but would also mean an

increase in council tax for all Lewes District

Council residents.

Scheme 3: We may consider a further scheme based

on your feedback and ideas you may have.